Away we go

Saturday February 1^st

One flight down, six to go!

 

Goodbye Adelaide

Our trip to Adelaide Airport was a history-making event – for the first time, John’s daughter Erin was able to drive us there.  She drove us through the Hills as if she was very late for an important meeting, but we only left a little bit of rubber on the corners.

Our luggage weighed in at a total of 14kgs between us, including my handbag.  After seeing the enormous suitcases that my Uncle and Aunt just lugged over from England, we couldn’t help feeling just a little smug.  We Aussies just seem to naturally do things better than the Poms!  (Don’t mention the cricket J).

 

14 kilograms for 3 weeks

Despite not having seating in our favourite place, the back of the plane, we had a fabulous flight from Adelaide to Melbourne.  I was very impressed with the efforts of the father of a cranky toddler.  With tickles, blowing raspberries and knee-bouncing, he managed to jolly her through the hour-long flight when she obviously didn’t feel like being there.  Well done, Daddy!

We got the Skybus into Melbourne and a tram to Bourke Street Mall to meet up with John’s old friend Wayne.  After a delicious lunch, I dashed into the nearby Rivers store to buy a couple of light loose tops that should keep me a bit cooler in the hot humid lands we’re about to visit.  I guess I’d be able to buy them more cheaply over there but having a bit of space in my bag, I didn’t see any harm in topping it up a little.  Besides which, I’m not sure that they make clothes for elephant-sized Westerners.

Having sent our hot Adelaide weather over to Melbourne, it was rather hot and sticky but I tried to look on the bright side and think of it as good preparation for the weeks to come.

We got the train out to Ringwood and enjoyed a very welcome wine and nibbles in airconditioned comfort at John’s parents’ house.  We all felt a bit of heat-induced droopiness after dinner, so we passed on the option of partying all night and had a much-needed early night.